Beverage maker

ABSTRACT

A beverage maker may include a base, a fermentation module disposed on the base, a heater configured to heat a fluid, such as water supplied to the fermentation module, and a heater case disposed on the base. The heater case may be configured to accommodate the heater so as to allow the heater to be spaced upward from the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0056408, filed inKorea on May 14, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

A beverage maker is disclosed herein.

2. Background

Beverages are collectively referred to as drinkable liquids, such asalcohol or tea. For example, beverages may be divided into variouscategories, such as water (a beverage) to solve thirst, juice beverageswith unique flavor and taste, refreshing beverages giving a refreshingsensation, favorite beverages with an arousal effect, or alcoholicbeverages with an alcohol effect.

Representative examples of such a beverage is beer. The beer is analcoholic beverage made by making juice of malt sprouting from barley,filtering the juice, adding hop, and fermenting the juice using theyeast.

Consumers may purchase ready-made products made and sold by a beer makeror make beer at home (hereinafter “homemade” beer) by directlyfermenting beer ingredients at home or in a bar. Homemade beer may bemade in a variety of types and may be made to suit a consumer's taste.

The ingredients for making beer may include water, malt, hop,fermentation accelerators, and flavoring additives, for example. Thefermentation accelerators, which are called yeast, may be added to maltto ferment the malt and help to produce alcohol and carbonic acid. Theflavor additives are additives that enhance the taste of beer, such asfruit, syrup, and vanilla beans, for example.

Generally, homemade beer may include three stages or operations, namely,a wort stage or operation, a fermentation stage or operation, and anaging stage or operation, and it may take about two to three weeks fromthe wort stage or operation to the aging stage or operation. It isimportant for the homemade beer to maintain an optimum temperatureduring the fermentation operation, and the easier the beer is to make,the more user convenience is improved.

Recently, a beverage maker capable of easily making beer at home or in abar has been gradually used. It is preferable that such a beverage makerbe capable of safely and easily making beer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a beverage maker according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a beverage maker according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cover, aresidual fluid tray, and an ingredient supplier are removed in thebeverage maker of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is perspective view illustrating a state in which a tank case isremoved in the beverage maker of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the beverage maker of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a main frame isremoved in the beverage maker of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a rear cover according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rear cover of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a base according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a heater when viewed in a firstdirection according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the heater of FIG. 11 when viewed in asecond direction;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the heater of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a state in which a fuse and a fusebracket are removed from the heater of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is a view of a heater case on which the heater is mountedaccording to an embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the heater and theheater case according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like referencenumerals have been used to indicate the same or like elements andrepetitive disclosure has been omitted.

Although beer is exemplified as a beverage made using a beverage makeraccording to embodiments, a kind of beverage capable of being made usingthe beverage maker is not limited to beer. For example, various kinds ofbeverages may be made using the beverage maker according to embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a beverage maker according to anembodiment. The beverage maker may include a fermentation module 1. Abeverage may be fermented in the fermentation module 1. The beveragemaker may include a temperature controller that controls an innertemperature of the fermentation module 1.

The beverage maker may include a fluid supply module 5. The fluid supplymodule 5 may supply a fluid, such as water.

The beverage maker may include ingredient supplier 3 provided withingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33 in which ingredientsrequired for making a beverage may be accommodated. The beverage makermay include main channels 41 and 42 that connect the fluid supply module5 to the fermentation module 1.

The beverage maker may include a beverage dispenser 6 that dispenses thebeverage made in the fermentation module 1 to the outside. The beveragedispenser 6 may be connected to second main channel 42. Thus, thebeverage dispensed from the fermentation module 1 may be guided to thebeverage dispenser 6 by passing through a portion of the second mainchannel 42.

The beverage maker may further include a gas discharger 7. The gasdischarger 7 may be connected to the fermentation module 1 to dischargea gas generated while the beverage is made.

The beverage maker may further include an air injector 8 that injectsair. The air injector 8 may be connected to the fluid supply module 5 orfirst main channel 41. The air injector 8 may include an air injectionpump 82.

The beverage maker may further include an air controller 15 thatcontrols a pressure between an inner wall of a fermenter 112 and anouter surface of a fermentation container 12.

The beverage maker may further include a sub channel 91. The sub channel91 may connect the fluid supply module 5 to the beverage dispenser 6.

The beverage maker may further include an air removal module 50 thatremoves air within a supply pump 52 of the fluid supply module 5.

Hereinafter, the fermentation module 1 will be described.

The fermentation module 1 may include a fermenter module 111 having anopening 170 and fermentation lid 107 that opens and closes the opening170. The fermenter module 111 may include a fermentation case 160 andfermenter 112 accommodated in the fermentation case 160 and having aninner space S1. An insulation portion (not shown) may be providedbetween the fermentation case 160 and the fermenter 112. The fermentermodule 111 may further include a lid seating body 179 on which thefermentation lid 107 may be seated.

Each of the fermentation case 160 and the fermenter 112 may be providedas an assembly of a plurality of members or components. The fermentationcase 160 may define an outer appearance of the fermenter module 111.

The fermentation lid 107 may seal an inside of the fermenter module 111and be disposed on the fermenter module 111 to cover the opening. A mainchannel, particularly, a main channel connection portion 115 connectedto the second main channel 42 may be provided in the fermentation lid107.

The fermentation container 12 may be accommodated in the fermenter 112.The fermentation container 12 may be provided as a separate container sothat beverage ingredients and a made beverage do not stain the innerwall of the fermenter 112. The fermentation container 12 may beseparably disposed on or in the fermenter 112. The fermentationcontainer 12 may be seated on the fermenter 112 to ferment the beveragewithin the fermenter 112. After the fermentation container 12 is used,the fermentation container 12 may be withdrawn or removed from thefermenter 112.

The fermentation container 12 may be a pack containing ingredients formaking a beverage. The fermentation container 12 may be made of aflexible material. Thus, the fermentation container 12 may be easilyinserted into the fermenter 112 and be contracted and expanded bypressure. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, thefermentation container 12 may be made of a polyethylene terephthalate(PET) material.

The fermentation container 12 may have a beverage making space S2 inwhich beverage ingredients may be accommodated, and a beverage made. Thefermentation container 12 may have a size less than a size of the innerspace S1 of the fermenter 112.

The fermentation container 12 may be inserted into and accommodated inthe fermenter 112 in a state in which the ingredients are contained inthe fermentation container 12. The fermentation container 12 may beinserted into the fermenter 112 and then accommodated in the fermenter112 in a state in which the fermentation lid 107 is open.

The fermentation lid 107 may seal the fermenter 112 after thefermentation container 12 is inserted into the fermenter 112. Thefermentation container 12 may assist fermentation of ingredients in thestate in which the fermentation container 12 is accommodated in thespace S1 sealed by the fermenter 112 and the fermentation lid 107. Thefermentation container 12 may be expanded by the pressure therein duringthe making of the beverage. When air is supplied between the inner wallof the fermenter 112 and the outer surface of the fermentation container12, the fermentation container 12 may be compressed by an inner pressureof the fermenter 112, and the beverage contained in the fermentationcontainer 12 may be taken out.

The fermenter 112 may be disposed inside of the fermentation case 160.The fermenter 112 may have an outer circumference surface and a bottomsurface, which may be spaced apart from an inner surface of thefermentation case 160. The outer circumference the fermenter 112 may bespaced apart from an inner circumference of the fermentation case 160,and an outer bottom surface of the fermenter 112 may be spaced apartfrom an inner bottom surface of the fermentation case 160.

An insulation portion (not shown) may be provided between thefermentation case 160 and the fermenter 112. The insulation portion maybe disposed in the fermentation case 160 to surround the fermenter 112.Thus, a temperature of the fermenter 112 may be maintained constant. Theinsulation portion may be made of a material, such as foamed polystyreneor polyurethane, which has high thermal insulating performance andabsorbs vibration.

The fermenter 112 may include a temperature sensor 16 that senses atemperature of the fermenter 112. The temperature sensor 16 may bemounted on a circumferential surface of the fermenter 112. Thetemperature sensor 16 may be disposed below an evaporator 134 woundaround the fermenter 112.

Hereinafter, a temperature controller 11 will be described.

Temperature controller 11 may change a temperature of the fermenter 112.The temperature controller 11 may heat or cool the fermenter 112 tocontrol the temperature of the fermenter 112 at an optimal temperaturefor fermenting the beverage.

The temperature controller 11 may include at least one of arefrigeration cycle device 13 or a heater 14. However, embodiments arenot limited thereto. For example, the temperature controller 11 mayinclude a thermoelement (TEM).

The refrigeration cycle device 13 may control the temperature of thefermenter 112. The refrigeration cycle device 13 may include acompressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and the evaporator 134.

The evaporator 134 may contact an outer surface of the fermenter 112.The evaporator 134 may be an evaporation tube wound around the outersurface of the fermenter 112, for example. The evaporator 134 may beaccommodated between the fermenter 112 and the insulation portion tocool the fermenter 112 which is insulated by the insulation portion.

The temperature controller 11 may further include heater 14 that heatsthe fermenter 112. The heater 14 may contact the bottom surface of thefermenter 112. The heater 14 may be a heat generation heater thatgenerates heat when power is applied, for example. The heater 14 may bea plate heater, for example. Thus, natural convection of a fluid may begenerated inside of the fermenter 112 by the evaporator 134 and theheater 14, and temperature distribution inside the fermenter 112 and thefermentation container 12 may be uniform.

Hereinafter, main channels 41 and 42 and a bypass channel 43 will bedescribed.

The main channels 41 and 42 may include first main channel 41 thatconnects the fluid supply module 5 to the ingredient supplier 3 andsecond main channel 42 that connects the ingredient supplier 3 to thefermentation module 1. That is, the first main channel 41 may guide afluid, such as water supplied from the fluid supply module 5 to theingredient supplier 3, and the second main channel 42 may guide amixture of the ingredients and the fluid, which are extracted from theingredient supplier 3, to the fermentation module 1. The first mainchannel 41 may have one or a first end 41 a connected to the fluidsupply module 5 and the other or a second end connected to theingredient supplier 3, more particularly, an inlet of an initialingredient accommodation portion 31, which will be describedhereinafter.

An ingredient supply valve 310 that opens and closes the first mainchannel 41 may be installed in the first main channel 41. The ingredientsupply valve 310 may be provided in the ingredient supplier 3.

The ingredient supply valve 310 may be opened when additivesaccommodated in the ingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33 areinput to open the first main channel 41. The ingredient supply valve 310may be opened when the ingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33are cleaned to open the first main channel 41.

The second main channel 42 may have one or a first end connected to mainchannel connection portion 115 of the fermentation module 1 and theother or a second end connected to the ingredient supplier 3, moreparticularly, an outlet 33 b of a final ingredient accommodation portion33, which will be described hereinafter.

A main valve 40 that opens and closes the second main channel 42 may beinstalled in the second main channel 42. A main check valve 314 thatallows the fluid to flow from the ingredient supplier 3 to thefermentation module 1 may be installed in the second main channel 42.That is, the main check valve 314 may prevent the fluid from flowingback to the ingredient supplier 3.

The main check valve 314 may be disposed between the main valve 40 andthe ingredient supplier 3 with respect to the second main channel 42.The main valve 40 may be opened when the fluid is supplied to thefermentation container 12 to open the second main channel 42. The mainvalve 40 may be closed while the fermenter 112 is cooled to close thesecond main channel 42. The main valve 40 may be opened when air isinjected into the fermentation container 12 to open the second mainchannel 42. The main valve 40 may be opened when additives are suppliedinto the fermentation container 12 to open the second main channel 42.The main valve 40 may be closed to seal the inside of the fermentationcontainer 12 during fermentation of ingredients. The main valve 40 maybe closed to seal the inside of the fermentation container 12 when thebeverage is aged and stored. The main valve 40 may be opened when thebeverage is dispensed by the beverage dispenser 6 to open the secondmain channel 4. The beverage within the fermentation container 1 maypass through the main valve 40 to flow to the beverage dispenser 6.

The main channels 41 and 42 may be provided as one continuous channelwhen the beverage maker does not include the ingredient supplier 3. Whenthe beverage maker includes the ingredient supplier 3, the beveragemaker may further include bypass channel 43 configured to allow thefluid or air to bypass the ingredient accommodation portions 31 and 32.

The bypass channel 43 may bypass the ingredient accommodation portions31, 32, and 33 and then be connected to the first main channel 41 andthe second main channel 42. The bypass channel 43 may have one or afirst end 43 a connected to the first main channel 41 and the other or asecond end 43 b connected to the second main channel 42. The bypasschannel 43 may have the one end 43 a connected to the first main channel41 between the fluid supply module 5 and the ingredient supply valve 310and the other end 43 b connected to the second main channel 42 betweenthe main valve 40 and the ingredient supplier 3.

A bypass valve 35 that opens and closes the bypass channel 43 may beinstalled in the bypass channel 43. The bypass valve 35 may be opened toopen the bypass channel 43 when the fluid supplied from the fluid supplymodule 5 is supplied to the fermentation container 12. The bypass valve35 may be opened to open the bypass channel 43 when the air injectedfrom the air injector 8 is supplied to the fermentation container 12.The bypass valve 35 may be opened to open the bypass channel 43 when thebypass channel 43 is cleaned.

A bypass check valve 324 that allows the fluid to flow from the firstmain channel 41 to the second main channel 42 may be installed in thebypass channel 43. That is, the fluid may flow only from the first mainchannel 41 to the second main channel 42 but may not flow in theopposite direction. The bypass check valve 324 may be disposed betweenthe bypass valve 35 and the second main channel 42 with respect to thebypass channel 43.

Hereinafter, the ingredient supplier 3 will be described.

When beer is made using the beverage maker, the ingredients for makingthe beer may include a fluid, such as water, malt, a fermentationfacilitator, for example, yeast, hop, and a flavoring additive, forexample. The beverage maker may include both the ingredient supplier 3and the fermentation container 12. The ingredients for making thebeverage may be accommodated in and divided between the ingredientsupplier and the fermentation container 12. A portion of the ingredientsfor making the beverage may be accommodated in the fermentationcontainer 12, and the remaining ingredients may be accommodated in theingredient supplier 3. The remaining ingredients accommodated in theingredient supplier 3 may be supplied to the fermentation container 12together with the fluid supplied from the fluid supply module 5 andmixed with the portion of the ingredients accommodated in thefermentation container 12.

A main ingredient which is essential for making a beverage may beaccommodated in the fermentation container 12, and additives added tothe main ingredient may be accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3. Inthis case, the additives accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3 maybe mixed with the fluid supplied from the fluid supply module 5 andsupplied to the fermentation container 12 and then may be mixed with themain ingredient accommodated in the fermentation container 12.

The main ingredient accommodated in the fermentation container 12 mayhave a capacity or amount greater than a capacity or amount of otheringredients. For example, when beer is made, the main material may bemalt of the malt, the fermentation facilitator, the hop, and theflavoring additive. Also, the additives accommodated in the ingredientsupplier 3 may be the other ingredient except for the malt of theingredients for making the beer, for example, the fermentationfacilitator, the hop, and the flavoring additive.

The beverage maker may not include the ingredient supplier 3 but mayinclude only the fermentation container 12. In this case, the mainingredient may be accommodated in the fermentation container 12, and auser may directly put the additives into the fermentation container 12.

If the beverage maker includes both the ingredient supplier 3 and thefermentation container 12, the beverage may be more easily made.Hereinafter, a case in which the beverage maker includes both theingredient supplier 3 and the fermentation container, will be describedas an example. However, embodiments are not limited to the case in whichthe beverage maker includes both the ingredient supplier 3 and thefermentation container 12.

The ingredients within the fermentation container 12 may be fermented astime elapses, and the beverage made in the fermentation container 12 mayflow to the second main channel 42 through the main channel connectionportion 115 and also flow from the second main channel 42 to thebeverage dispenser 6 so as to be dispensed. The ingredients necessaryfor making the beverage may be accommodated in the ingredient supplier3, and the fluid supplied from the fluid supply module 5 may passthrough ingredient supplier 3. For example, when the beverage made inthe beverage maker is beer, the ingredients accommodated in theingredient supplier 3 may be the fermentation facilitator, the hop, andthe flavoring additive, for example.

The ingredients accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3 may bedirectly accommodated in the ingredient accommodation portions 31, 32,and 33 provided in the ingredient supplier 3. At least one ingredientaccommodation portion 31, 32, and 33 may be provided in the ingredientsupplier 3. Further, a plurality of ingredient accommodation portions31, 32, and 33 may be provided in the ingredient supplier 3. In thiscase, the ingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33 may bepartitioned with respect to each other.

Inlets 31 a, 32 a, and 33 a through which fluid may be introduced andoutlets 31 b, 32 b, and 33 b through which the fluid may be dischargedmay be provided in the ingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33,respectively. The fluid introduced into the inlet of one ingredientaccommodation portion may be mixed with ingredients within theingredient accommodation portion and then discharged through the outlet.

The ingredients accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3 may beaccommodated in ingredient containers C1, C2, and C3. In this case, theingredient containers C1, C2, and C3 may be accommodated in theingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33, and each of theingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33 may be referred to asan “ingredient container mounting portion”.

The ingredient containers C1, C2, and C3 may each include a capsule or apod; however, embodiments are not limited thereto. When the ingredientsare accommodated in the ingredient containers C1, C2, and C3, theingredient supplier 3 may be configured so that the ingredientcontainers C1, C2, and C3 are seated therein and withdrawn therefrom.The ingredient supplier 3 may be provided as an ingredient containerskit assembly in which the ingredient containers C1, C2, and C3 areseparably accommodated.

For example, a first additive, a second additive, and a third additivemay be accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3. The first additive maybe the fermentation facilitator, the second additive may be the hop, andthe third additive may be the flavoring additive. The ingredientsupplier 3 may include a first ingredient container mounting portion 31in which a first ingredient container C1 containing the first additiveis accommodated, a second ingredient container mounting portion 32 inwhich a second ingredient container C2 containing the second additive isaccommodated, and a third ingredient container mounting portion 33 inwhich a third ingredient container C3 containing the third additive isaccommodated.

The ingredients contained in the ingredient accommodation portion or theingredient containers C1, C2, and C3 may be extracted by a fluidpressure of the fluid supplied from the fluid supply module 5. When theingredients are extracted by the fluid pressure, the fluid supplied fromthe fluid supply module 5 to the first main channel 41 may pass throughthe ingredient accommodation portion or the ingredient containers C1,C2, and C3 and then be mixed with the ingredients, and the ingredientsaccommodated in the ingredient accommodation portion or the ingredientcontainers C1, C2, and C3 may flow to the second main channel togetherwith the fluid.

A plurality of additives different from each other may be accommodatedseparately in the ingredient supplier 3. For example, when beer is made,the plurality of additives accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3 maybe the fermentation facilitator, the hop, and the flavoring additive,which may be accommodated separately from each other.

When the plurality of ingredient accommodation portions are provided inthe ingredient supplier 3, the plurality of ingredient accommodationportions 31, 32, and 33 may be connected in series to each other in aflow direction of the fluid. That is, the ingredient supplier 3 mayinclude at least one connecting channel 311 and 312 that connects theoutlet of one ingredient accommodation portion of the plurality ofingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33 to the inlet of anotheringredient accommodation portion.

Further, the plurality of ingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and33 may include an initial ingredient accommodation portion 31 and afinal ingredient accommodation portion 33. The plurality of ingredientaccommodation portions 31, 32, and 333 may further include anintermediate ingredient accommodation portion 32.

The inlet 31 a of the initial ingredient accommodation portion 31 may beconnected to the first main channel 41, and the outlet 33 b of the finalingredient accommodation portion 33 may be connected to the second mainchannel 42. The intermediate ingredient accommodation portion 32 may bedisposed between the first ingredient accommodation portion 31 and thesecond ingredient accommodation portion 33 in the flow direction of thefluid. The inlet 32 a and the outlet 32 b of the intermediate ingredientaccommodation portion 32 may be connected to the connecting channels 311and 312 different from each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , when three ingredient accommodation portionsare provided in the ingredient supplier 3, the outlet 31 b of the finalingredient accommodation portion 31 may be connected to the inlet 32 aof the intermediate ingredient accommodation portion 32 through thefirst connecting channel 311, and the outlet 32 b of the intermediateingredient accommodation portion 32 may be connected to the inlet 33 aof the final ingredient accommodation portion 33 through the secondconnecting channel 312. In this case, the fluid introduced into theinlet 31 a of the final ingredient accommodation portion 31 through thefirst main channel 41 may flow to the first connecting channel 311through the outlet 31 b together with the first additive accommodated inthe initial ingredient accommodation portion 31.

The fluid (a mixture of the fluid and the first additive) introducedinto the inlet 32 a of the intermediate ingredient accommodation portion32 through the first main channel 311 may flow to the second connectingchannel 312 through the outlet 32 b together with the second additiveaccommodated in the intermediate ingredient accommodation portion 32.The fluid (the mixture of the fluid and the first and second additives)introduced into the inlet 33 a of the final ingredient accommodationportion 33 through the second main channel 312 may flow to the secondconnecting channel 42 through the outlet 33 b together with the thirdadditive accommodated in the final ingredient accommodation portion 33.The fluid (the mixture of the fluid and the first, second, and thirdadditives) discharged through the second main channel 42 may be guidedto the main channel connection portion 115 of the fermentation module 1and then introduced into the fermentation container 12.

However, the configuration of the ingredient supplier 3 is not limitedthereto. For example, when the intermediate ingredient accommodationportion is not provided, two ingredient accommodation portions may beprovided in the ingredient supplier 3. In this case, one ingredientaccommodation portion may be the initial ingredient accommodationportion, and the other ingredient accommodation portion may be the finalingredient accommodation portion. The outlet of the initial ingredientaccommodation portion and the inlet of the final ingredientaccommodation portion may be connected to each other by the connectingchannel.

For another example, when a plurality of intermediate ingredientaccommodation portions is provided, four or more ingredientaccommodation portions may be provided in the ingredient supplier 3. Inthis case, one ingredient accommodation portion may be the initialingredient accommodation portion, another ingredient accommodationportion may be the final ingredient accommodation portion, and theremaining ingredient accommodation portions may be intermediateingredient accommodation portions. In this case, as the connectionbetween the ingredient accommodation portions in series is easilyunderstood by a person skilled in the art, their detailed descriptionshas been omitted.

As the plurality of ingredient accommodation portions 31, 32, and 33 isconnected in series to each other, a channel configuration of theingredient supplier 3 may be simplified. Also, as additives contained inthe ingredient containers C1, C2, and C3 are extracted at once, a timetaken to extract the additives may decrease. Also, the ingredientsupplier 3 may minimize fluid leakage points to improve reliability.

When the ingredients accommodated in the ingredient supplier 3 areaccommodated in the ingredient containers C1, C2, and C3, the initialingredient accommodation portion 31 may be referred to as an “initialingredient container mounting portion”, the intermediate ingredientaccommodation portion 32 may be referred to as an “intermediateingredient container mounting portion”, and the final ingredientaccommodation portion 33 may be referred to as a “final ingredientcontainer mounting portion”.

Hereinafter, the fluid supply module 5 will be described.

The fluid supply module 5 may include a tank 51, a pump 52 to pump afluid, such as water within the tank 51, and a heater 53 that heats thefluid pumped by the pump 52. The tank 51 and the pump 52 may beconnected to a tank discharge channel 55 a, and the fluid contained inthe tank 51 may be introduced into the pump 52 through the tankdischarge channel 55 a. The pump 52 and one or a first end of the firstmain channel 41 may be connected to a fluid supply channel 55 b, and thefluid discharged from the pump 52 may be guided to the first mainchannel 41 through the fluid supply channel 55 b.

A muffler 56 a that reduces noise and a flow meter 56 b that measures aflow rate of the fluid discharged from the tank 51 may be installed inthe tank discharge channel 55 a. The muffler 56 a may be disposed infront of the flow meter 56 b with respect to the flow direction of thefluid.

A flow rate control valve 54 that controls a flow rate of the fluiddischarged from the tank 51 may be installed in the tank dischargechannel 55 a. The flow rate control valve 54 may include a step motor.

A thermistor 54 a that measures a temperature of the fluid dischargedfrom the tank 51 may be installed in the tank discharge channel 55 a.The thermistor 54 a may be built in the flow rate control valve 54.

A fluid supply check valve 59 that prevents the fluid from flowing backto the pump 52 may be installed in the fluid supply channel 55 b.

The heater 53 may be installed in the fluid supply channel 55 b. Theheater 53 may be include a thermostat 58 that constantly adjusts atemperature of the heater 53.

The fluid supply module 5 may further include a safety valve 53 a. Thesafety valve 53 a may communicate with an inside of the heater 53. Thesafety valve 53 a may restrict a maximum inner pressure of the heater53. For example, the safety valve 53 a may restrict the maximum innerpressure of the heater 53 to a pressure of about 3.0 bar.

The fluid supply module 5 may further include a fluid supply temperaturesensor 57 that measures a temperature of the fluid passing through theheater 53. The fluid supply temperature sensor 57 may be connected tothe heater 53.

When the pump 52 is driven, the fluid within the tank 51 may beintroduced into the pump 52 through the tank discharge channel 55 a, andthe fluid discharged from the pump 52 may be heated in the heater 53while flowing through the water supply channel 55 b and then be guidedto the first main channel 41.

Hereinafter, the beverage dispenser 6 will be described.

The beverage dispenser 6 may be connected to the second main channel 42.That is, the beverage dispenser 6 may include dispenser 62 thatdispenses the beverage and a beverage dispensing channel 61 thatconnects the dispenser 62 to the second main channel 42.

The beverage dispensing channel 61 may connect the second main channel42 to the dispenser 62. The beverage dispensing channel 61 may have oneor a first end 61 a connected between the main check valve 314 and themain valve 40 with respect to the second main channel 42 and the otheror a second end connected to the dispenser 62.

A beverage dispensing valve 64 that opens and closes the beveragedispensing channel 61 may be installed in the beverage dispensingchannel 61. The beverage dispensing valve 64 may be opened when thebeverage is dispensed to open the beverage dispensing channel 61. Thebeverage dispensing valve 64 may be opened when residual fluid isremoved to open the beverage dispensing channel 61. The beveragedispensing valve 64 may be opened when the beverage dispenser is cleanedto open the beverage dispensing channel 61.

A decompression component 60 that prevents a pressure of the beveragepassing through the beverage dispensing channel 61 from rapidlyincreasing may be installed in the beverage dispensing channel 61. Thedecompression component 60 may be installed behind the beveragedispensing valve 64 with respect to the dispensing direction of thebeverage. The decompression component 60 may be disposed adjacent to thebeverage dispensing valve 64.

The pressure of the beverage passing through the decompression component60 may gradually decrease. The beverage passing through thedecompression component 60 may be dispensed from the dispenser 62 andmay not generate excessive bubbles.

When the beverage is dispensed, the beverage dispensing valve 64 may beopened. When the beverage is not dispensed, the beverage dispensingvalve 64 may remain closed.

The dispenser 62 may include lever 620. When the user manipulates thelever 620, the beverage dispensing valve 64 may be opened, and when thelever 620 returns to its original position, the beverage dispensingvalve 64 may be closed.

Hereinafter, the gas discharger 7 will be described.

The gas discharger 7 may be connected to the fermentation module 1 todischarge a gas generated in the fermentation container 12. The gasdischarger 7 may include a gas discharge channel 71 connected to thefermentation module 1, a gas pressure sensor 72 installed in the gasdischarge channel 71, and a gas discharge valve 73 connected to the gasdischarge channel 71. The gas discharge valve 73 may be disposed behindor downstream of the gas pressure sensor 72 in a gas dischargedirection.

The gas discharge channel 71 may be connected to the fermentation module1, particularly, the fermentation lid 107. A gas discharge channelconnection portion 121 to which the gas discharge channel 71 may beconnected may be provided in the fermentation lid 107.

The gas within the fermentation container 12 may flow into the gasdischarge channel 71 through the gas discharge channel connectionportion 121. The gas pressure sensor 72 may detect a pressure of the gasdischarged to the gas discharge channel 71 through the gas dischargechannel connection portion 121 within the fermentation container 12.

The gas discharge valve 73 may be turned on to be opened when air isinjected into the fermentation container 12 by the air injector 8. Thebeverage maker may uniformly mix the malt with the fluid by injectingthe air into the fermentation container 12. Foam generated in the liquidmalt may be discharged from an upper portion of the fermentationcontainer 12 to the outside through the gas discharge channel 71 and thegas discharge valve 73. The gas discharge valve 73 may be opened orclosed at least one time to detect fermentation during a fermentationprocess or operation.

The gas discharger 7 may further include a safety valve 75 connected tothe gas discharge channel 71. The safety valve 75 may be disposed behindor downstream of the gas pressure sensor 72 with respect to the gas flowdirection.

The safety valve 75 may restrict a maximum pressure of the fermentationcontainer 12 and the gas discharge channel 71. For example, the safetyvalve 75 may restrict the maximum pressure of the fermentation container12 and the gas discharge channel 71 to a pressure of about 3.0 bar.

The gas discharger 7 may further include a pressure release valve 76.The pressure release valve 76 may be connected to the gas dischargechannel 71. The pressure release valve 76 and the gas discharge valve 73may be selectively opened/closed. The pressure release valve 76 may bedisposed behind or downstream of the gas pressure sensor 72 with respectto the gas flow direction.

A noise reducing device 77 may be mounted on the pressure release valve76. The noise reducing device 77 may include at least one of an orificestructure or a muffler structure.

Even though the pressure release valve 76 is opened, an inner pressureof the fermentation container 12 may be gradually decreased by the noisereducing device 77. When fermentation of the beverage progresses, thepressure release valve 76 may be opened to release the pressure in astate in which the inner pressure of the fermentation container 12increases. The noise reducing device 77 may effectively reduce noisegenerated due to a difference in pressure between the inside and outsideof the fermentation container 12. The pressure release valve 76 may beopened/closed in the fermentation process or operation in which theinner pressure is relatively high.

Hereinafter, the air injector 8 will be described.

The air injector 8 may be connected to the fluid supply module 5 or thefirst main channel 41 to inject air. The air injector 8 may be connectedto an opposite side of a sub channel 91, which will be describedhereinafter, with respect to the heater 53.

In this case, air injected by the air injector 8 may pass through theheater 53 to flow to the sub channel 91 together with residual fluidwithin the heater 53. Thus, the residual fluid within the heater 53 maybe removed to maintain a clean state of the heater 53.

Alternatively, air injected by the air injector 8 to the first mainchannel 41 may successively pass through the bypass channel 43 and thesecond main channel 42 and then be injected into the fermentationcontainer 12. Thus, stirring or aeration may be performed in thefermentation container 12.

Alternatively, the air injected from the air injector 8 to the firstmain channel 41 may be guided to the ingredient supplier 3 to flow tothe ingredient container mounting portions 31, 32, and 33. Residualfluid or residue within the ingredient containers C1, C2, and C3 or theingredient container mounting portions 31, 32, and 33 may flow to thesecond main channel 42 by the air injected by the air injector 8 andthen be discharged to the beverage dispenser 6. The ingredientcontainers C1, C2, and C3 and the ingredient container mounting portions31, 32, and 33 may be cleanly maintained by the air injected by the airinjector 8.

The air injector 8 may include an air injection channel connected to thefluid supply channel 55 b or the first main channel 41 and air injectionpump 82 connected to the air injection channel 81. An air injectioncheck valve 83 that prevents the fluid within the fluid supply channel55 b from being introduced into the air injection pump 82 through theair injection channel 81 may be installed in the air injection channel81.

The air injection pump 82 may pump the air to the air injection channel81. A discharge portion of the air injection pump 82 may be connected tothe air injection channel 81.

Air passing through an air filter 150 may be suctioned into a suctionportion of the air injection pump 82. That is, the beverage maker mayinclude air filter 150 and an air suction channel 152 connected to theair filter 150. A muffler 150 a that reduces noise generated when theair is suctioned may be installed in the air suction channel 152.

The air suction channel 152 may be branched into a first suction channel84 and a second suction channel 153. The first suction channel 84 may beconnected to a suction portion of the air injection pump 82, and thesecond suction channel 153 may be connected to a suction portion of anair supply pump 151 described hereinafter. However, embodiments are notlimited thereto, and thus, air passing through different filters may besuctioned into the suction portion of the air injection pump 82 and thesuction portion of the air supply pump 151.

Hereinafter, the air controller 15 will be described.

The air controller 15 may control a pressure between the inner wall ofthe fermenter 112 and the outer surface of the fermentation container12. The air controller 15 may supply air into the space between thefermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112. On the other hand, theair controller 15 may exhaust the air within the space between thefermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 to the outside.

The air conditioner 15 may include air supply pump 151, an air supplychannel 154 that connects the air supply pump 151 to the fermentationmodule 1, an exhaust channel 157 connected to the air supply channel 154to exhaust air to the outside, and an exhaust valve 156 connected to theexhaust channel 157. The air supply pump 151 may inject air into the airsupply channel 154. A discharge portion of the air supply pump 151 maybe connected to the air supply channel 154, and a suction portion may beconnected to the second suction channel 153 described above.

The air supply channel 154 may be connected to the fermentation module1, particularly, the fermentation lid 107. An air supply channelconnection portion 117 to which the air supply channel 154 may beconnected may be provided in the fermentation module 1. The air supplychannel connection portion 117 may communicate with the space betweenthe inner wall of the fermenter 112 and the outer surface of thefermentation container 12.

The air injected from the air supply pump 151 to the air supply channel154 may be guided between the outer surface of the fermentationcontainer 12 and the inner wall of the fermenter 112. The air suppliedinto the fermenter 112 may press the fermentation container 12 betweenthe outer surface of the fermentation container 12 and the inner wall ofthe fermenter 112.

The beverage within the fermentation container 12 may be pressed by thefermentation container 12 which is contracted by the air. When the mainvalve 40 and the beverage dispensing valve 64 are opened, the beveragemay pass through the main channel connection portion 115 to flow to thesecond main channel 42. The beverage flowing from the fermentationcontainer 12 to the second main channel 42 may be dispensed to theoutside through the beverage dispenser 6.

The air supply pump 151 may supply air so that a predetermined pressureoccurs between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112.Thus, a pressure at which the beverage within the fermentation container12 is easily dispensed may be occur between the fermentation container12 and the fermenter 112.

The air supply pump 151 may be maintained in a turned-off state whilethe beverage is dispensed. When the beverage is completely dispensed,the air pump 82 may be driven for next beverage dispensing and thenstopped. Thus, the beverage maker may dispense the beverage to thebeverage dispenser 6 in a state in which the fermentation container 12is disposed within the fermentation module 1 without withdrawing thefermentation container 12 to the outside of the fermentation module 1.

The exhaust channel 157 may function as an air exhaust passage, throughwhich the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter112 may be exhausted to the outside, together with a portion of the airsupply channel 154. The exhaust channel 157 may be disposed outside ofthe fermentation module 1. The exhaust channel 157 may be connected to aportion of the air supply channel 154, which is disposed outside of thefermenter 112.

The air supply channel 154 may include a first channel connected betweenthe air supply pump 151 to a connection portion 157 a, to which theexhaust channel 157 may be connected, and a second channel between aconnection portion 154 a, to which the exhaust channel 157 may beconnected, and the air supply channel connection portion 117. The firstchannel may be an air supply channel that guides the air pumped by theair supply pump 151 to the second channel. Also, the second channel maybe an air supply and exhaust-combined channel that supplies the airpassing through the air supply channel into the space between thefermenter 112 and the fermentation container 12 or guides the airdischarged from the space between the fermenter 112 and the fermentationcontainer 12 to the exhaust channel 157.

The exhaust channel 157 may exhaust air therethrough. The exhaust valve156 may be opened so that the air between the fermentation container 12and the fermenter 112 may be exhausted to the outside when thefermentation container 12 is expanded while the beverage is made. Theexhaust valve 156 may be opened when fluid is supplied by the fluidsupply module 5. The exhaust valve 156 may be opened when air isinjected by the air injector 8.

The exhaust valve 156 may be opened so that the air between thefermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 may be exhausted whenthe beverage within the fermentation container 12 is completelydispensed. The user may take the fermentation container 12 out of thefermenter 112 when the beverage is completely dispensed. This is donebecause safety accidents occur when the inside of the fermenter 112 ismaintained at a high pressure. The exhaust valve 156 may be opened whenthe beverage within the fermentation container 12 is completelydispensed.

The air controller 15 may further include an air restriction valve 159that restricts the air pumped by the air supply pump 151 and suppliedbetween the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112. The airrestriction valve 159 may be a check valve.

The air restriction valve 159 may be installed in the air supply channel154. That is, the air restriction valve 159 may be installed between theair supply pump 151 of the air supply channel 154 and the connectionportion 157 a of the exhaust channel 157.

Hereinafter, the sub channel 91 will be described.

The sub channel 91 may connect the fluid supply module 5 to the beveragedispenser 6. The sub channel 91 may have one or a first end 91 aconnected to the fluid supply channel 55 b and the other or a second end91 b connected to the beverage dispensing channel 61.

The sub channel 91 may be connected between the pump 52 and the heater53 with respect to the fluid supply channel 55 b. The sub channel 91 maybe connected to the connection portion 61 a of the second main channel42 and the beverage dispensing valve 64 with respect to the beveragedispensing channel 61.

The fluid supplied by the pump 52 and the air pumped by the airinjection pump 82 may be guided to the beverage dispensing channel 61through the sub channel 91 and then dispensed to the dispenser 62. Thus,residual fluid or beverage remaining in the beverage dispenser 6 may beremoved.

A sub valve 92 that opens and closes the sub channel 91 may be installedin the sub channel 91. The sub valve 92 may be opened to open the subchannel 91 when the beverage is dispensed, or cleaning is performed.

A sub check valve 93 that prevents the beverage of the beveragedispensing channel 61 from flowing back to the fluid supply module 5 maybe installed in the sub channel 91. The sub check valve 93 may bedisposed between the sub valve 92 and the beverage dispensing channel 61with respect to the sub channel 91.

The sub channel 91 may function as a residual fluid removing channel ofthe fluid supply module 5. For example, when the air injection pump 82is turned on in a state in which the bypass valve 35 and the ingredientsupply valve 310 are closed, the sub valve 92 is opened, the airinjected into the air injection channel 81 may pass through the heater53 to flow to the sub channel 91. Then, the air may pass through the subvalve 92 to flow to the beverage dispensing channel 61 and then bedispensed to the dispenser 62. In this process, the air may be dispensedtogether with the fluid supply module 5, more particularly, residualfluid remaining in the heater 53 and the fluid supply channel 55 b sothat residual fluid may be removed.

The sub channel 91 may also function as a cleaning channel. When aportion of the beverage is dispensed from the dispenser 62, and a longtime has elapsed until the next dispensing, the dispenser 62 may becleaned by allowing fluid to flow into the sub channel 91 beforeperforming the next dispensing.

Hereinafter, the air removal module 50 will be described.

The pump 52 may include a gear pump. As the gear pump is used, alubricant (grease) applied to a surface of an inner rotor and an innerwall of the pump may be gradually exhausted. Then, when used over acertain number of times, a pressure difference between an inlet and anoutlet of the pump 52, which is generated by the gear pump, maygradually decrease. The inlet of the pump 52 may be connected to thetank discharge channel 55 a, and the outlet may be connected to thefluid supply channel 55 b.

The air removal module 50 may temporarily remove flow path resistanceacting on the pump 52. That is, the air in the pump 52 may be removed bythe air removal module 50, and instead, the fluid in the tank 51 may beintroduced into the pump 52 by a head pressure. Thus, the pump 52 maysmoothly supply fluid through the fluid supply channel 55 b.

The air removal module 50 may include an air removal channel 50 a and anair removal valve 50 b connected to the air removal channel 50 a. Theair removal channel 50 a may be connected to the fluid supply channel 55b. That is, the air removal channel 50 a may be branched from the fluidsupply channel 55 b.

The air removal channel 50 a may be connected to a point on the fluidsupply channel 55 b, which is adjacent to the pump 52. For example, theair removal channel 50 a may be connected between the pump 52 and theheater 53 in the fluid supply channel 55 b. In this case, the connectionportion between the air removal channel 50 a and the fluid supplychannel 55 b may be closer to the pump 52 than the heater 52.

The air removal valve 50 b may include a solenoid valve. When the airremoval valve 50 b is opened, the air removal channel 50 a may beopened, and air in the air removal channel 50 a may be discharged to theoutside through the air removal valve 50 b. As a result, the air in thepump 52 may flow into the air removal channel 50 a, and the fluid in thetank 51 may be introduced into the pump 52 by the head pressure.

The beverage maker may maintain the air removal valve 50 b in a closedstate when the pump 52 operates so that the fluid does not flow throughthe fluid supply channel 55 b. In a state in which operation of the pump52 is stopped, the air removal valve 50 b may be opened. The beveragemaker may allow the pump 52 to operate after the air removal valve 50 bis opened for a predetermined period of time, and the air removal valve50 a is closed when the tank 51 is empty to refill the tank 51.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a beverage maker according to anembodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which acover, a residual fluid tray, and an ingredient supplier are removed inthe beverage maker of FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is perspective view illustrating astate in which a tank case is removed in the beverage maker of FIG. 3 .FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view illustrating the beverage maker ofFIG. 3 . FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a mainframe is removed in the beverage maker of FIG. 4 .

The beverage maker may include a base 100. The base 100 may constitutean outer appearance of a bottom surface of the beverage maker andsupport the fermentation module 1, the tank 51, the heater 53, and amain frame 130, which are disposed thereabove. As necessary, componentssupported by the base 100 may be added, removed, or changed.

The beverage maker may further include a residual fluid tray 101 thatreceives and stores a beverage dropping from the dispenser 62. Theresidual fluid tray 101 may be integrated with the base 100 or becoupled to the base 10. The residual fluid tray 101 may be disposed infront of the base 100.

The fermentation module 1 may have an approximately cylindrical shape.The fermentation module 1 may be supported by the base 100 at a lowerside.

The fermentation module 1 may be disposed above the base 100. Thefermentation module 1 may be disposed and supported on a fermentationmodule support portion or support 109 of the base 100.

As described above, the fermentation module 1 may include fermentermodule 111 and fermentation lid 107. Fermentation container 12 (see FIG.1 ) may be accommodated in the fermenter module 111.

Fermenter 112 (see FIG. 1 ) may be accommodated in the fermentation case160. The insulation portion may be disposed between the fermenter 112and the fermentation case 160 to insulate the fermenter 112. Theevaporator 134 (see FIG. 1 ) and the heater 14 (see FIG. 1 ) may bedisposed between the insulation portion and the fermenter 112. That is,the insulation portion may surround the evaporator 134 and/or the heater14 together with the fermenter 112. Thus, the temperature of thefermenter 112 may be easily controlled.

The fermentation lid 107 may be disposed above the fermenter module 111to open and close the fermenter module 111 at an upper side. Lid seatingbody 179 may be disposed above the fermentation case 160 to support thefermentation lid 107 at a lower side.

The fermentation case 160 may be placed on the fermentation modulesupport 109 of the base 100. The fermentation lid 107 may be separablyconnected to the fermenter module 111, slidably connected to thefermenter module 111, or rotatably connected to the fermenter module111. For example, the fermentation lid 107 may be hinge-coupled to thefermenter module 111.

A first hinge connection portion 107 a that protrudes backward may beprovided on the fermentation lid 107. The first hinge connection portion107 a may be hinge-coupled to the fermentation module 179.

The refrigeration cycle device 13 may include a compressor 131, acondenser 132, and the evaporator 134 (see of FIG. 1 ). The beveragemaker may further include a blower fan 135 that cools the condenser 132.

The refrigeration cycle device 13 may include a heat pump. Therefrigeration cycle device 13 may include a refrigerant channelswitching valve (not shown). The refrigerant channel switching valve mayinclude a four-way valve. The refrigerant channel switching valve may beconnected to each of a suction channel of the compressor 131 and adischarge channel of the compressor 131, may be connected to thecondenser 132 through a condenser connection channel, and may beconnected to the evaporator 134 through an evaporator connectionchannel.

When the fermenter 112 is cooled, the refrigerant channel switchingvalve may guide refrigerant compressed in the compressor 131 to thecondenser 132 and guide refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 134to the compressor 131. When the fermenter 112 is heated, the refrigerantchannel switching valve may guide refrigerant compressed in thecompressor 131 to the evaporator 134 and guide refrigerant dischargedfrom the condenser 132 to the compressor 131.

The base 100 may support at least a portion of the refrigeration cycledevice 13. For example, the compressor 131 of the refrigeration cycledevice 13 may be supported by the base 100.

A refrigerant pipe (not shown) may be connected to the fermentationmodule 1. The refrigerant pipe may be provided in the refrigerationcycle device 13 (see FIG. 1 ). The refrigerant pipe may connect thecondenser 132 to the evaporator 134 (see FIG. 1 ). An expansionmechanism (not shown) may be installed in the refrigerant pipe.

The refrigerant pipe may pass between a first coupling body 231 and thebase 100 of a main frame 230 described hereinafter.

A tank case 149 in which the tank 51 (see FIG. 1 ) may be accommodatedmay be disposed above the base 100. The tank case 149 may be a circularhollow cylinder with an open top surface. The user may insert the tank51 into the tank case 149 or take the tank 51 out of the tank case 149.A bottom surface of the tank case 149 may be spaced apart from a topsurface of the base 100 in a vertical direction.

A support body 102 that supports the tank case 149 may be disposed onthe base 100, and a first support portion or support 511 supported tocontact the support body 102 may be disposed on the tank case 149.

The support body 102 may protrude upward from the base 100, and thefirst support 511 may protrude downward from the tank case 149. As thesupport body 102 and the first support 511 extend lengthwise vertically,a bottom surface of the tank case 149 may be spaced apart from the base100.

A heater case 113 in which the heater 53 (see FIG. 1 ) may beaccommodated may be installed on the base 100, and a second supportportion or support 514 supported by the heater case 113 may be installedon the tank case 149.

The heater case 113 may extend lengthwise vertically, and the bottomsurface of the tank case 149 may be spaced apart from the base 100. Thatis, one or a first side of the tank 51 may be supported by the supportbody 102 disposed on the base 100, and the other or a second side may besupported by the heater case 113.

A machine room 148 may be defined between the tank case 149 and the base100. The machine room 148 may refer to a space between the tank case 149and the base 100. Components, such as the pump 52, the air injectionpump 82, and the compressor 131 may be disposed in the machine room 148.

The tank case 149 may be horizontally spaced apart from the fermentationmodule 1. That is, the tank case 149 and the fermentation module 1 maybe horizontally spaced apart from each other.

The beverage maker may further include a tank lid 110 that covers anopen top surface of the tank 51 (see FIG. 1 ). The tank 51 may have ahollow cylindrical shape with the open top surface, and the tank lid 110may open and close the open top surface of the tank 51. The tank lid 110may be detachably mounted on the tank 51 or may be hinged to the tank51.

The tank lid 110 may have a shape that is the same as or similar to thefermentation lid 107. Thereby, the beverage maker may have a sense ofunity by design.

A height from the base 100 to the fermentation lid 107 may be equal to aheight from the base 100 to the tank lid 110. A top surface of the base100 to the fermentation lid 107 may be the same height as the topsurface from the base 100 to the water tank lid 110.

The beverage maker may include covers 201, 202, 210, and 220 defining anouter appearance of the beverage maker. The covers 201, 202, 210, and220 may be placed on the base 100.

The covers 201, 202, 210, and 220 may be integrated with each other;however, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, a pluralityof members or components may be coupled to each other in terms ofmanufacturing and maintenance.

The covers 201, 202, 210, and 220 may include a fermentation modulecover 201, a tank case cover 202, a front cover 210, and a rear cover220. Each of the fermentation module cover 201 and the tank case cover202 may have a hollow shape. A portion of a circumferential surface ofeach of the fermentation module cover 201 and the tank case cover 202may be open. The open portion of the circumferential surface may bedisposed inside of the beverage maker and may not be exposed to theoutside, and thus, the beverage maker may be improved in design.

The fermentation module cover 201 and the tank case cover 202 maysurround at least portions of outer circumferences of the fermentationmodule 1 and the tank case 149, respectively. The fermentation modulecover 201 and the tank cover 51 may protect the fermentation module 1and the tank case 149 against an external impact.

The fermentation module cover 201 and the tank case cover 202 may behorizontally spaced apart from each other. The fermentation module cover201 and the tank case cover 202 may have a same height and/or diameter.Thus, the beverage maker may be improved in design due to symmetricstructure and unity of the outer appearance thereof.

A top surface of the fermentation module cover 201 may be open, and thefermentation lid 109 may be exposed upward. Also, a top surface of thetank case cover 202 may be open, and the tank lid 110 may be exposedupward. The user may easily open and close the fermentation lid 107 andthe tank lid 110.

The front cover 210 may define an outer appearance of a front side ofthe beverage maker. The front cover 210 may cover a portion between thefermentation module cover 201 and the tank case cover 202 at the frontside.

The front cover 210 may be disposed between the front fermentationmodule cover 201 and the tank case cover 202. The front cover 210 mayhave ends respectively contacting the fermentation module cover 201 andthe tank case cover 202.

The front cover 210 may have a flat plate shape that is verticallydisposed. The front cover 210 may have a same height as each of thefermentation module cover 201 and the tank case cover 202.

The dispenser 62 may be mounted on the front cover 210. The dispenser 62may be disposed closer to an upper end of the front cover 210 than alower end of the front cover 210. The dispenser 62 may be disposed abovethe residual fluid tray 101. The user may manipulate the lever 620 ofthe dispenser 62 to dispense the beverage.

A dispenser mounting portion or mount 214 on which the dispenser 62 maybe mounted may be disposed on the front cover 210. The dispenser mount214 may be disposed closer to the upper end of the front cover 210 thanthe lower end of the front cover 210.

The beverage maker may include a display (not shown) that displaysvarious pieces of information of the beverage maker. The display 282 maybe disposed on the front cover 210.

The display 282 may be disposed at a portion of the front cover 210,which is not covered by the dispenser 62. That is, the display 282 maynot overlap the dispenser 62 in a horizontal direction.

The display may include at least one display element of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), or organic light emittingdiode (OLED), and a display printed circuit board (PCB) on which adisplay element is installed. The display PCB may be mounted on a rearsurface of the front cover 210 and electrically connected to acontroller 284 described hereinafter.

The beverage maker may include an input that receives a command relatedto the making of a beverage by the beverage maker. The input may includeat least one of a touch screen that receives a user's command in a touchmember, a rotary knob held by the user to rotate, and/or a button pushedby the user. For example, the input may include a rotary knob 283. Therotary knob 283 may be disposed on the front cover 210. The rotary knob283 may be disposed below the display.

The rotary knob 283 may function as a button that is pushed by the user.That is, the user may hold the rotary knob 283 so that the rotary knob283 rotates, or the user may input a control command by pushing a frontsurface of the rotary knob 283.

Also, the input may include a touch screen that receives a user'scommand in a touch manner. The touch screen may be provided on thedisplay, and the display may function as the touch screen. The input maybe electrically connected to the controller 284 described hereinafter.

The beverage maker may further include a wireless communication module(not shown). However, embodiments are not limited to kinds of wirelesscommunication modules. For example, the wireless communication modulemay include a Bluetooth module or a Wi-Fi module.

The wireless communication module may be disposed on a rear surface ofthe front cover 210. The wireless communication module may beelectrically connected to the controller 284 described hereinafter. Thebeverage maker may wirelessly communicate with a separate mobileterminal, for example. The user may input a command, inquire aboutbeverage making information, or monitor a making process in real timeusing the mobile terminal.

The front cover 220 may define an outer appearance of a front side ofthe beverage maker. The rear cover 220 may cover a portion between thefermentation module cover 201 and the tank case cover 202 at a rearside.

The ingredient supplier 3 may be disposed between the fermentationmodule 1 and the tank 51. That is, the ingredient supplier 3 may bedisposed between the fermentation module 1 and the tank case 149. Thebeverage maker may be compact, and the ingredient supplier 3 may beprotected by the fermentation module 1 and the tank case 149.

At least a portion of each of both side surfaces of the ingredientsupplier 3 may be curved. The curved surfaces may contact each of anouter circumference of the fermentation module cover 201 and an outercircumference of the tank case cover 202.

The ingredient supplier 3 may be disposed above the base 100 so as to bevertically spaced apart from the base 100. The ingredient supplier 3 maybe disposed above the main frame 230.

The ingredient supplier 3 may be disposed between the front cover 210and the rear cover 220 in frontward and rearward directions. A frontsurface of the ingredient supplier 3 may be covered by the front cover210, and a rear surface of the ingredient supplier 3 may be covered bythe rear cover 220.

The ingredient supplier 3 may be installed at an approximately centralupper portion of the beverage maker. The user may open the ingredientsupplier 3 to easily mount or separate ingredient containers C1, C2, andC3.

The beverage maker may include the main frame 230. At least a portion ofthe plurality of valves of FIG. 1 may be mounted on the main frame 230.That is, a plurality of valve mounting portions or mounts to which theplurality of valves may be mounted may be disposed on the main frame230. The plurality of valves may include flow rate control valve 54,ingredient supply valve 310, main valve 40, bypass valve 35, exhaustvalve 156, beverage dispensing valve 64, sub valve 92, gas dischargevalve 73, and pressure release valve 76, for example.

The main frame 230 may be coupled to the fermentation module 1 and thetank case 149, respectively. The main frame 230 may be spaced apart fromthe base 100 in the vertical direction.

The main frame 230 may be coupled from the rear side of the tank case149 and the fermentation module 1, and the plurality of valve mounts maybe disposed on a rear surface of the main frame 230. Thus, when only therear cover 220 is removed in the beverage maker, the user may directlyaccess the plurality of valves, and thus, maintenance and repair of thevalves may be facilitated.

At least a portion of the main frame 230 may be disposed between thefermentation module 1 and the tank 51. At least a portion of the mainframe 230 may be disposed below the ingredient supplier 3.

The main frame 230 may include first coupling body 231 coupled to thefermentation module 1, a second coupling body 232 coupled to the tankcase 149, and a connection body that connects the first coupling body231 to the second coupling body 232 and at least a portion of which isdisposed between the fermentation module 1 and the tank 51. Theconnection body 233 may be disposed below the ingredient supplier 3. Atleast a portion of the second coupling body 232 may be disposed betweena control module 280 and the tank case 149 in the frontward and rearwarddirection.

A number of valve mounting portions or mounts disposed on the firstcoupling body 231 may be greater than a number of valve mountingportions or mounts disposed on the second coupling body 232. This isdone because a number of channels connected to the fermentation module 1may be greater than a number of channels connected to the tank 51, and anumber of valves that restricts a flow of fluid introduced into anddischarged from the fermentation module 1 may be greater than a numberof valves that restricts a flow of fluid discharged from the tank 51.

The beverage maker may include the control module 280. The controlmodule 280 may be an electric component of the beverage maker. Thecontrol module 280 may be mounted on the main frame 230 or the tank case149.

The control module 280 may be disposed behind the tank case 149. Thecontrol module 280 may be disposed behind the second coupling body 232.

This is done because a number of valves disposed at the rear side of thefermentation module 1 is greater than a number of valves disposed at therear side of the tank case 149. Thus, a space within the beverage makermay be used efficiently, and the beverage maker may be compact. Thecontrol module 280 may extend lengthwise vertically.

A control module coupling portion 103 that protrudes upward may bedisposed on the base 100, and the control module 280 may be coupled toand supported by the control module coupling portion 103. The controlmodule 280 may be coupled to the second coupling body 232 of the tankcase 149 and/or the main frame 230.

The control module 280 may include a main PCB and a PCB case 281 inwhich the main PCB may be built. The main PCB may include controller 284that substantially controls an operation of each of the components ofthe beverage maker. The PCB case 281 may be coupled to the main frame230 and/or the tank case 149 to safely protect the main PCB therein.

The controller 284 provided in the control module 280 may beelectrically connected to the wireless communication module. Forexample, the controller 284 may receive a command received through thewireless communication module, and thus, the beverage may be made. Also,the controller 284 may transmit information related to the beveragemaker or the beverage to be made from the wireless communication moduleto a separate mobile terminal.

The controller 284 may receive the command input into the input. Forexample, the controller 284 may make a beverage according to a commandinput by the rotary knob 283. Also, the controller 284 may control thedisplay 282 to output various pieces of information of the beveragemaker. For example, the controller 284 may display an amount ofdispensed beverage, and an amount of residual beverage, informationrelated to completion of dispensing of the beverage, for example,through the display 282.

The controller 284 may control at least one of the pump 52, the heater53, the air injection pump 82, the air supply pump 151, or thetemperature controller 11. Also, the controller 284 may control at leastone of the flow rate control valve 54, the ingredient supply valve 310,the main valve 40, the bypass valve 35, the exhaust valve 156, thebeverage dispensing valve 64, the sub valve 92, the gas discharge valve73, or the pressure release valve 76.

The controller 284 may receive a measured value of at least one of theflow meter 56, the thermistor 54 a, the fluid supply temperature sensor57, the temperature sensor 16, or the gas pressure sensor 72. Thecontroller 284 may detect an inner pressure of the fermentationcontainer 12 by the gas pressure sensor 72 and detect a temperature ofthe fermenter 112 by the temperature sensor 16. The control module 280may determine a degree of fermentation of the beverage using thedetected pressure or temperature.

The controller 284 may detect a temperature of fluid supplied from thefluid supply module 5 to the first main channel 41 using the fluidsupply temperature sensor 57. The controller 284 may control the heater53 according to the detected temperature of the fluid. The controller284 may control the temperature controller 11 to maintain thetemperature of the fermenter 112 at an adequate temperature.

The controller 284 may accumulate at least one of a time taken to openthe dispenser 62, a time taken to drive the air supply pump 151, and atime taken to turn on the main valve 40 after the beverage is completelymade, for example. The controller 284 may calculate an amount ofdispensed beverage dispensed from the fermentation container 12according to the accumulated time. The controller 284 may calculate anamount of residual beverage from the calculated amount of dispensedbeverage. The controller 284 may determine whether the beverage withinthe fermentation container 12 is completely dispensed from thecalculated amount of residual beverage. The controller 284 may determinethat the beverage is completely dispensed when it is determined that thebeverage within the fermentation container 12 is completely dispensed.In addition, the controller 284 may control an overall operation of thebeverage maker.

The beverage maker may further include a condenser case 130. Thecondenser case 130 may be disposed on the base 100 and may accommodatethe condenser 132.

The condenser case 130 may be disposed to face in an oblique directionwith respect to the frontward and rearward direction or lateraldirections. The compressor 131, the blower fan 135, and the condenser132 may be disposed in a straight line, and the condenser case 130 mayextend lengthwise in a direction parallel to the straight line.

The blower fan 135 may be disposed between the compressor 131 and thecondenser 132. The blower fan 135 may blow air into the condenser case130. The air suctioned from a suction port 251 defined in the base 100may be blown into the condenser case 130 by the blower fan 135 and thenmay be discharged to a discharge port defined in the rear cover 220after being heat-exchanged with the condenser 132.

The blower fan 135 may be coupled to the condenser case 130. As the airblown by the blower fan 135 by the condenser case 130 passes through thecondenser 132 completely, heat-exchange efficiency of the condenser 132may be improved. Also, the condenser case 130 may prevent heat of thecondenser 132 from be spread therearound.

The blower fan 135 may be disposed between the compressor 131 and thecondenser 132. Thus, the air blown by the blower fan 135 may dissipateat the compressor 131.

An extension portion 130 a that extends in a longitudinal direction ofthe condenser case 130 to guide the air passing through the condenser132 to a discharge port 271 of the rear cover 220 may be disposed on atop surface of the condenser case 130. The extension portion 130 a mayserve as an air guide. A reinforcing rib that extends to a top surfaceof the extension portion 130 a may be disposed on the top surface of thecondenser case 130.

A condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 may be provided in the base100. The condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 may be a space inwhich a gas is discharged from the gas discharge valve 73, and condensedfluid generated therein may be accommodated.

In the process of discharging a gas by the gas discharge valve 73mounted on the main frame 230, the gas may meet external cold air togenerate condensed fluid, and the condensed fluid may drop into thecondensed fluid accommodation portion 104 so as to be collected in thecondensed fluid accommodation portion 104. The condensed fluidaccommodation portion 104 may be disposed behind the fermentation modulesupport 109.

A protrusion portion or protrusion 106 that protrudes upward from thetop surface of the base 100 to prevent the condensed fluid from flowingoutside of the condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 may be disposedon the base 100. The condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 maycommunicate with a space defined between the fermentation module 1 andthe fermentation module support 109. A communication groove 105 thatallows the condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 to communicate withthe space may be defined in the base 100.

The condensed fluid accommodated in the condensed fluid accommodationportion 104 may flow into the space between the fermentation module 1and the fermentation module support 109 so that more condensed fluid maybe accommodated. The condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 and thecondensed fluid accommodated in the auxiliary space may be naturallyevaporated.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a rear cover according to an embodiment. FIG. 8is a perspective view of the rear cover of FIG. 7 .

The rear cover 220 may be disposed behind the fermentation module 1, anda plurality of discharge ports 271 may be provided in the rear cover220. The condenser case 130 (see FIG. 6 ) may be disposed to face theplurality of discharge ports 271 of the rear cover 220. The air blowninto the condenser case 130 by the blower fan 135 may be heat-exchangedwith the condenser 132 and discharged through the plurality of dischargeports 271.

The plurality of discharge ports 271 defined in the rear cover 220 maybe disposed at a position closer to one or a first end than the other ora second end of the rear cover 220. The plurality of discharge ports 271may be disposed at a position closer to a right end or first side than aleft end or second side of the rear cover 220.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the plurality of discharge ports 271 mayoverlap with the blower fan 135 in a longitudinal direction of thecondenser case 130. The condenser case 130 may extend in an obliquedirection to face the plurality of discharge ports 271. Therefore, airdischarged to the outside of the beverage maker may be prevented frombeing introduced into the beverage maker through the open dischargeports 271 to improve heat dissipation efficiency.

A through-groove 278 through which a power cord, for example, anelectric wire, that supplies power to the beverage maker may pass, maybe defined in the rear cover 220. A power cord fixing portion 273, onwhich the power cord may be wound, and a plug hole 274, into which aplug connected to an end of the power cord may be inserted, may beprovided in/on the rear cover 220. The power cord fixing portion 273 maybe provided on a rear surface of the rear cover 220 and may be providedin a pair at left and right or lateral sides. The plug hole 274 may bedefined between both power cord fixing portions 273.

Power cords may be alternately wound and fixed to both power cord fixingportions 273, and plugs connected to the power cords may be insertedinto the plug holes 274. As a result, the power cords and the plugs maybe arranged by the power cord fixing portions 273 and the plug holes 274when the beverage maker is not in use, and also, discomfort whentransporting the product may be solved.

An avoidance portion 272 that prevents interference with the ingredientsupplier 3 may be provided at an upper end of the rear cover 220. Theavoidance portion 272 may be formed by cutting a portion of the upperend of the rear cover 220. A rear end of the ingredient supplier 3 maybe disposed in the avoidance portion 272, and the beverage maker may becompact when compared to a case in which the avoidance portion 272 isnot provided.

An air filter mounting portion or mount 276 on which the air filter 150(see FIG. 1 ) may be mounted may be disposed on the rear cover 220. Theair filter 150 may filter air suctioned into each suction portion of theair injection pump 82 and the air supply pump 151.

The air filter mount 276 may be recessed backward from the rear cover220. A channel connection portion may be disposed on the air filtermount 276, and the air suction channel 152 may be connected to thechannel connection portion.

A filter mounting portion cover 275 may be detachably provided on theair filter mount 276. The filter mounting portion cover 275 may coverthe air filter mount 276 at the rear side of the rear cover 220. Thefilter mounting portion cover 275 may have a plurality of through-holesthrough which air may pass. The user may easily replace the air filter150 by removing the filter mounting portion cover 275 from the airfilter mount 276.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a base according to an embodiment. FIG.10 is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 9 .

The base 100 may include the fermentation module support 109, thecondensed fluid accommodation portion 104, a compressor support portionor support 108, and a condenser case support portion or support 252. Thefermentation module support 109 may support the fermentation module 1.The fermentation module support 109 may be disposed at a position closerto a front end than a rear end of the base 100.

When the fermentation module 1 is placed on the fermentation modulesupport 109, an auxiliary space 109 a may be defined between thefermentation module 1 and the fermentation module support 109. Thefermentation module support 109 may include a plurality of supportframes that protrudes upward. The fermentation module 1 may be supportedto contact the support frame, and the auxiliary space 109 a may bedefined between a bottom surface of the fermentation module 1 and thefermentation module support 109.

The condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 may accommodate thecondensed fluid generated by gas or air discharged from the fermentationmodule 1. The condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 may be disposedbehind the fermentation module support 109.

The communication groove 105 which allows the condensed fluidaccommodation portion 104 to communicate with the fermentation modulesupport 109 may be defined in the base 100. The condensed fluid of thecondensed fluid accommodation portion 104 may flow into the auxiliaryspace 109 a defined in the fermentation module support 109 by thecommunication groove 105, and also, more condensed fluid may beaccommodated and may be widely spread so that an evaporation rate of thecondensed fluid may increase.

The protrusion 106 that prevents the condensed fluid from flowingoutside of the condensed fluid accommodation portion 104 may be disposedon the base 100. The protrusion 106 may protrude upward from the topsurface of the base 100. The protrusion 106 may be disposed between thecondensed fluid accommodation portion 104 and the condenser case support252. The protrusion 106 may prevent the condensed fluid of the condensedfluid accommodation portion 104 from flowing outside of the auxiliaryspace 109 a.

The compressor support 108 may support the compressor 131 of therefrigeration cycle device 13. The compressor support 108 may bedisposed at a position at which the compressor 131 is disposed under thetank case 149. The condenser case support 252 may support the condensercase 130.

The condenser case support 252 may be disposed so that the condensercase 130 is disposed obliquely. The condenser case support 252 may bedisposed at a position closer to the rear end than the front end of thebase 100.

The suction port 251 through which air may be suctioned may be providedin the base 100. The suction port 251 may be a plurality of holes thatpenetrate vertically. The air suctioned through the suction port 251 maybe blown to the condenser 132 within the condenser case 130 by theblower fan 135. At least a portion of the suction port 251 may bedisposed between the condenser case support 252 and the compressorsupport 108.

A residual fluid tray coupling portion 101 c to which the residual fluidtray 101 (see FIG. 2 ) may be coupled may be disposed on the front endof the base 100. The support body 102 that supports the tank case 149may be disposed on the base 100. The support body 102 may protrudeupward from the base 100, and more specifically, may protrude upwardfrom a top surface of the compressor support 108.

The support body 102 may be connected to the first support 511 disposedon the tank case 149 to support one side of the tank 51. The supportbody 102 may allow the bottom surface of the tank case 149 to be spacedapart from the compressor support 108 to provide a length so that thecompressor 131, the pump 52, the air injection pump 82, and the airsupply pump 151 may be disposed therebetween.

The control module coupling portion 103 which may be coupled to thecontrol module 280 (see FIG. 5 ) may be disposed on the base 100. Thecontrol module coupling portion 103 may protrude upward from the base100. A plurality of the control module coupling portion 103 may beprovided and may be disposed behind the compressor support 108. A heightof the control module coupling portion 103 may be less than a height ofthe support body 102.

A through-groove 100 a through which a power cord, for example, anelectric wire, to supply power to the beverage maker may pass, may bedefined in the base 100. The through-groove 100 a may be defined in therear end of the base 100. The through-groove 100 a defined in the base100 may be defined under the through-groove 278 (see FIG. 7 ) defined inthe rear cover 220. The through-groove 100 a defined in the base 100 andthe through-groove 278 defined in the rear cover 220 may together form apower cord through-hole.

A plurality of legs 250 that protrudes downward may be provided on thebase 100. For example, four legs 250 may be provided on the base 100.

Each of the plurality of legs 250 may have a length such that the base100 is maintained horizontally. A bottom surface of the base 100 may bespaced vertically from an installation surface, on which the beveragemaker is installed, by the plurality of legs 250. Thus, external air mayflow between the base 100 and the installation surface and be easilysuctioned into the suction port 251.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a heater when viewed in a firstdirection according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective viewillustrating the heater of FIG. 11 when viewed in a second directionaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of theheater of FIG. 11 . FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a state in which afuse and a fuse bracket are removed from the heater of FIG. 13 . FIG. 15is a view of a heater case on which the heater is mounted according toan embodiment. FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of theheater and the heater case according to an embodiment.

As described above, the heater 53 may heat the fluid supplied to thefermentation module 1. The heater 53 may include a housing 530, an innerpassage S provided in the housing 530 (see FIG. 16 ), and an inlet 531 aand outlet 531 b that communicate with the inner passage S. The heater53 may further include a heating coil C (see FIG. 16 ) disposed withinthe inner passage S.

The housing 530 may be made of a metal material. The inner passage S maybe disposed inside of the housing 530 and have a ring shape. That is,the inner passage S may be a substantially donut-shaped space.

The fluid introduced into the inlet 531 a may pass through the innerpassage S and then be discharged to the outlet 531 b after being heatedby the heating coil C. The inlet 531 a and the outlet 531 b may protrudefrom the housing 530. A channel (not shown) through which the fluid mayflow may be connected to the inlet 531 a and the outlet 531 b. Each ofthe channels connected to the inlet 531 a and the outlet 531 b may beprovided in the fluid supply channel 55 b (see FIG. 1 ).

The inlet 531 a and the outlet 531 b may be spaced apart from eachother. The inlet 531 a may be disposed at one or a first side of thehousing 530. The outlet 531 b may be disposed at the other or a secondside of the housing 530. The inlet 531 a and the outlet 531 b may bedisposed in a straight line.

The inlet 531 a may protrude downward from a bottom surface of thehousing 530, and the outlet 531 b may protrude upward from a top surfaceof the housing 530. In this case, the inlet 531 a and the outlet 531 bmay be disposed in a straight line passing through a middle portion ofthe heater 53 in the lateral direction. Thus, a distance from the inlet531 a to the outlet 531 b with respect to the flow direction of fluidmay be elongated, and the fluid passing through the inner passage S maybe sufficiently heated.

The heating coil C may heat the fluid flowing inside of the innerpassage S. The heating coil C may have a shape wound several times tosurround at least one of a front recess 532 (see FIG. 16 ) or a rearrecess 538, which will be described hereinafter.

Protrusion bosses 533 and 534 may be disposed on the heater 53. Theprotrusion bosses 533 and 534 may communicate with the inside of theheater 53, that is, the inner passage S.

The protrusion bosses 533 and 534 may protrude forward from the frontsurface of the housing 530. The protrusion bosses 533 and 534 mayinclude at least one of a sensor connection boss 533 to which thetemperature sensor 57 (see FIG. 1 ) may be connected and a valveconnection boss 534 to which the safety valve 53 a may be connected.Hereinafter, a case in which both the sensor connection boss 533 and thevalve connection boss 534 are disposed on the heater 53 will bedescribed as an example.

The temperature sensor 57 may be connected to the sensor connection boss533 to sense the fluid supply temperature of the heater 53, that is, thetemperature of the fluid heated while passing through the inside of theinner passage S.

The sensor connection boss 533 may be adjacent to the outlet 531 b amongthe inlet 531 a and the outlet 531 b. The fluid temperature sensor 57may sense the fluid temperature immediately before passing through theoutlet 531 b.

A sensor fixing boss 533 a to fix the temperature sensor 57 may befurther disposed on the heater 53. The sensor fixing boss 533 a mayprotrude from the housing 530 in a direction parallel to the sensorconnection boss 533. The sensor fixing boss 533 a may not communicatewith the inner passage S.

The temperature sensor 57 may include a sensor body connected to thesensor connection boss 533 and a sensor bracket on which the sensor bodymay be mounted and coupled to the sensor fixing boss 533 a. While thesensor body is connected to the sensor fixing boss 533 a, a couplingmember, such as a screw, may couple the sensor bracket to the sensorfixing boss 533 a. A screw thread configured to be coupled to thecoupling member may be disposed on an inner circumference of the sensorfixing boss 533 a.

The safety valve 53 a may be connected to the valve connection boss 534to limit a maximum inner pressure of the heater 53. That is, the safetyvalve 53 a may limit the inner pressure of the inner passage S. If theinner pressure of the inner passage S is greater than or equal to aspecific pressure, the safety valve 53 a may be opened. When the safetyvalve 53 a is opened, a portion of the fluid in the inner passage maypass through the safety valve to flow along a channel (not shown)connected to the safety valve. The channel may allow the fluid to returnbetween the pump 52 and the heater 53 among the fluid supply channels 55b (see FIG. 1 ).

The valve connection boss 534 may be adjacent to the outlet 531 b of theinlet 531 a and the outlet 531 b. When the inner pressure of the innerpassage S is greater than or equal to a specific pressure, sufficientlyheated fluid may be returned to the inlet 531 a by returning to aprevious state of the heater 53, and efficiency of the heater 53 may beimproved.

The heater 53 may be provided with the thermostat 58 that constantlyadjusts the temperature of the heater 53. The thermostat 58 may bedisposed on an outer surface of the housing 530, more specifically, on atop surface of the housing 530. The thermostat 58 may be accommodated inthe heater case 113.

The thermostat 58 may be adjacent to the outlet 531 b among the inlet531 a and the outlet 531 b. The thermostat 58 may easily adjust thetemperature of the fluid flowing out of the outlet 531 b.

The heater 53 may be connected to a wire that supplies power to theheater 53. The heater 53 may be provided with a pair of terminals 536 aand 536 b to which the wires may be connected. One of the pair ofterminals 536 a and 536 b may be a positive terminal 536 a, and theother may be a negative terminal 536 b.

The terminals 536 a and 536 b may be provided on an outer surface of thehousing 530, more specifically, on a bottom surface of the housing 530.The pair of terminals 536 a and 536 b may be disposed opposite to eachother with the inlet 531 a therebetween.

The heater 53 may be connected to a ground line GL to ground the heater53. The heater 53 may be provided with a terminal 537 to which theground line GL may be connected.

The terminal 537 may be provided on the outer surface of the housing530, more specifically, on an upper surface of the housing 530. Theterminal 537 may be disposed at an opposite side of the thermostat 58with the outlet 531 b therebetween.

A fixing bracket 535 that fixes the heater 53 to the heater case 113 maybe connected to the heater 53. The fixing bracket 535 may be connectedto a front surface of the housing 530. The front recess 532 to which thefixing bracket 535 may be connected may be defined in the heater 53. Thefront recess 532 may be recessed backward from a front of the housing530. The fixing bracket 535 may be coupled to the front recess 532 andprotrude forward from the front surface of the housing 530.

A fuse 541 may be connected to the heater 53. The fuse 541 may blockcurrent when excessive current flows through the heater 53. A fusebracket 540 that fixes the fuse 541 may be coupled to the heater 53.

The fuse bracket 540 may be coupled to a rear surface of the housing530. The heater 53 may have a rear recess 538, in which the fuse bracket540 may be disposed, and a coupling boss 539 to which the fuse bracket540 may be coupled in the rear recess 538.

The rear recess 538 may be recessed forward from the rear surface of thehousing 530, and the coupling boss 539 may protrude backward from therear recess 538. That is, the coupling boss 539 may protrude in adirection opposite to the protrusion bosses 533 and 534.

The fuse bracket 540 may be coupled to the coupling boss 539 and bedisposed within the rear recess 538. The fuse bracket 540 may protrudebackward from the rear surface of the housing 530.

One of the front recess 532 and the rear recess 538 may be referred toas a first recess, and the other may be referred to as a second recess.A recessed depth of the rear recess 538 may be greater than a recesseddepth of the front recess 532. The rear recess 538 and the front recess532 may contact each other.

The inner passage S in the housing 530 may be provided in a donut shape.The heating coil C disposed in the inner passage S may surround at leastone of the front recess 532 or the rear recess 538. For example, theheating coil C may be disposed to surround the rear recess 538 severaltimes, as illustrated in FIG. 16 .

The heater 53 may be accommodated in the heater case 113. The heatercase 113 may minimize heat transfer from the heater 53 to surroundings.As described above, the heater case 113 may support the tank case 149(see FIG. 3 ).

The heater case 113 may space the heater 53 upward with respect to thebase 100. Thus, heat transfer of the heater 53 to the base 100 may beminimized. Also, the wire may be connected to the terminals 536 a and536 b provided on the bottom surface of the heater 53, and the channelmay be connected to the inlet 531 a.

Front openings 113 a and 113 b may be defined in the heater case 113.The front openings 113 a and 113 b may be defined by penetrating aportion of a front surface of the heater case 113. The front openings113 a and 113 b may include first opening 113 a defined in one or afirst side of the coupling portion 114, which will be describedhereinafter, and second opening 113 b defined in the other or a secondside of the coupling portion 114. For example, the first opening 113 amay be defined above the coupling portion 114 and the second openportion 113 b may be defined below the coupling portion 114.

The protrusion bosses 533 and 534 of the heater 53 may protrude towardthe first opening 113 a or be disposed in the first opening 113 a. Thatis, the sensor connection boss 533 and the sensor fixing boss 533 a mayprotrude toward the first opening 113 a or be disposed in the firstopening 113 a. Thus, the fluid temperature sensor 57 may be connected tothe sensor connection boss 533 through the first opening 113 a and fixedto the sensor fixing boss 533 a.

The valve connection boss 534 may protrude toward the first opening 113a or be disposed in the first opening 113 a. The safety valve 53 a maybe connected to the valve connection boss 534 through the first opening113 a.

The second opening 113 b may face a space between the base 100 and theheater 53. The wire connected to the pair of terminals 536 a and 536 bprovided on the heater 53 may pass through the second opening 113 b. Thechannel connected to the heater 53, more specifically, the inlet 531 amay pass through the second opening 113 b. However, the wire and thechannel may be configured to pass through the rear opening 113 c, whichwill be described hereinafter, without passing through the secondopening 113 b.

The rear opening 113 c may be defined in the heater case 113. The rearopening 113 c may be defined in the rear surface of the heater case 113.The fuse 541 and the fuse bracket 540 may not interfere with the heatercase 113 due to the rear opening 113 c. A through-groove 113 d, throughwhich at least one of the outlet 531 b of the heater 53 or the channelconnected to the outlet 531 b may pass, may be defined in the uppersurface of the heater case 113.

The heater 53 may be fixed to the heater case 113 by the fixing bracket535. The heater case 113 may be provided with coupling portion 114 towhich the fixing bracket 535 may be coupled.

The coupling portion 114 may be connected to the front openings 113 aand 113 b of the heater case 113. A horizontal cross-section of thecoupling portion 114 may have a “U” shape.

The coupling portion 114 may include a first portion 114 a disposed infront of the front surface of the heater case 113 and a pair of secondportions 114 b that connects ends of the first portion 114 a to thefront surface of the heater case 113. The first portion 114 a maycontact the fixing bracket 535, and the second portion 114 b may beconnected to circumferences of the front openings 113 a and 113 b.

A coupling hole 114 c may be defined in the coupling portion 114, moreparticularly, the first portion 114 a. A coupling member, such as ascrew, may be coupled to the fixing bracket 535 through the couplinghole 114 c. The heater 53 may be firmly fixed to the heater case 113.

According to embodiments, the heater case may accommodate the heater.Thus, heat transfer from the heater to surroundings may be minimized.

The heater case may allow the heater to be spaced apart from the base.In addition, heat of the heater may not be transferred to the base, andthe wire and the channel may be connected to the bottom surface of theheater case.

The heater case may support the tank case. As the number of members forsupporting the tank case is reduced, production costs may be reduced,and the beverage maker may be compact.

The thermostat accommodated in the heater case may be connected to theheater. Thus, fluid having an appropriate temperature may be supplied tothe fermentation module, and the thermostat may be protected.

The thermostat may be disposed closer to the outlet of the inlet andoutlet of the heater. The thermostat may easily control the temperatureof the fluid discharged from the outlet.

The protrusion boss that protrudes toward the first opening of theheater case or disposed in the first opening may be disposed on theheater. Thus, the temperature sensor or safety valve may be easilyconnected to the protrusion boss through the first opening.

The opening facing the space between the base and the heater may bedefined in the heater case. Thus, the wire or the channel may beconnected to the heater from the lower side of the heater.

The fixing bracket for fixing the heater to the heater case may becoupled to the coupling portion of the heater case, and the couplingportion may be connected to the opening. Thus, coupling of the fixingbracket and the coupling portion may be facilitated.

The protrusion boss may be adjacent to the outlet of the inlet andoutlet of the heater. Thus, the fluid supply temperature sensor maydetect the fluid temperature just before passing through the outlet. Inaddition, when the safety valve is opened, sufficiently heated fluid maypass through the safety valve and then be reintroduced into the heater,and efficiency of the heater may be improved.

The fuse bracket may be disposed in the recess defined in the heater andbe coupled to the coupling boss disposed in the recess. Thus, the fusebracket may be easily coupled to the heater.

The inner passage may have the ring (donut) shape surrounding therecess. Thus, the heater may be compact, and also, the flow path fromthe inlet to the outlet may be elongated so that the fluid issufficiently heated.

The heating coil may be disposed inside of the inner passage to surroundthe recess. Thus, the heating coil may efficiently heat the fluidthroughout the inner passage.

The first recess to which the fixing bracket may be coupled and thesecond recess to which the fuse bracket may be disposed may contact eachother. The inner passage may have the ring (donut) shape.

The inlet and outlet of the heater may be disposed in a straight line.Thus, the fluid may flow uniformly and smoothly along the inner passage,and the flow path from the inlet to the outlet may be elongated so thatthe fluid is sufficiently heated.

The heater may be provided with the terminal to which a ground line maybe connected. Thus, the user may be prevented from being injured due toelectric shock.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a beverage maker that minimizes aninfluence of internal components by heat of a heater.

In a beverage maker according to embodiments disclosed, a heater casemay accommodate a heater so that the heater is spaced apart from a base.Thus, heat transfer from the heater to surroundings may be minimized.

A beverage maker according to embodiments disclosed herein may include abase; a fermentation module disposed on the base; a heater configured toheat a fluid, such as water supplied to the fermentation module; and aheater case disposed on the base. The heater case may accommodate theheater so as to allow the heater to be spaced upward from the base.

The beverage maker may further include a tank in which the fluidsupplied to the fermentation module may be stored and a tank caseconfigured to accommodate the tank. The heater case may support the tankcase.

A thermostat configured to adjust a fluid supply temperature may beconnected to the heater, and the thermostat may be accommodated in theheater case. The thermostat may be closer to an outlet of an inlet andthe outlet of the heater.

An opening facing a space between the base and the heater may be definedin the heater case. At least one of a channel connected to the heater ora wire connected to the heater may pass through the opening.

An opening may be defined in the heater case, and a protrusion boss thatprotrudes toward the opening or disposed in the opening may be disposedon the heater.

The beverage maker may further include a fixing bracket configured tofix the heater to the heater case. A coupling portion to which thefixing bracket may be coupled and which may be connected to the openingmay be disposed on the heater case.

The protrusion boss may include at least one of a sensor connection bossto which a temperature sensor configured to sense a fluid supplytemperature may be connected, or a valve connection boss to which asafety valve configured to restrict a maximum internal pressure of theheater may be connected. The protrusion boss may be closer to an outletof an inlet and the outlet of the heater.

A recess in which a fuse bracket configured to fix a fuse may bedisposed may be provided on the heater. A coupling boss to which thefuse bracket may be coupled may be disposed in the recess.

The heater may include an inner passage having a ring shape, which maysurround the recess. The heater may include a heating coil disposedwithin the inner passage to surround the recess.

The heater may include a first recess to which a fixing bracketconfigured to fix the heater to the heater case may be coupled, and asecond recess in which a fuse bracket configured to fix a fuse may bedisposed. The second recess may contact the first recess.

The heater may include a housing accommodated in the heater case; aninner passage provided in the housing; an inlet configured tocommunicate with the inner passage; and an outlet configured tocommunicate with the inner passage. The outlet may be spaced apart fromthe inlet and disposed in a straight line with the inlet.

A terminal to which a ground line may be connected may be provided inthe heater.

The heater case may be directed toward a space between the base and thetank case in a horizontal direction.

A beverage maker according to embodiments disclosed herein may include abase; a fermentation module disposed on the base; a pump configured tosupply a fluid, such as water within a tank to the fermentation module;a heater configured to heat the fluid pumped by the pump; and a heatercase configured to accommodate the heater. The heater case may extendlengthwise vertically. The heater case may have a lower end coupled tothe base and a lower end coupled to a tank case in which the tank may beaccommodated.

The beverage maker may further include an ingredient supplier configuredto supply an ingredient to the fermentation module. The heater case maybe spaced downward from the ingredient supplier.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description. Other features will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

The disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and notrestrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope. Thus, embodiments are to be consideredillustrative, and not restrictive, and the technical spirit is notlimited to the embodiments. Therefore, the scope is defined not by thedetailed description but by the appended claims, and all differenceswithin the scope will be construed as being included.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can bedirectly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of oneelement or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances ofsuch phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection withany embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage maker, comprising: a base; afermentation module disposed on the base; a heater configured to heatfluid supplied to the fermentation module; and a heater case disposed onthe base, the heater case being configured to accommodate the heater soas to allow the heater to be spaced upward from the base, wherein anopening is defined in the heater case, and wherein at least oneprotrusion boss that either protrudes toward the opening, or is disposedin the opening, is disposed on the heater.
 2. The beverage makeraccording to claim 1, further comprising: a tank in which the fluidsupplied to the fermentation module is stored; and a tank caseconfigured to accommodate the tank, wherein the heater case supports thetank case.
 3. The beverage maker according to claim 1, wherein a secondopening that faces a space between the base and the heater is defined inthe heater case, and wherein at least one of a channel connected to theheater or a wire connected to the heater passes through the opening. 4.The beverage maker according to claim 1, further comprising a fixingbracket configured to fix the heater to the heater case, wherein acoupling portion to which the fixing bracket is coupled and which isconnected to the opening is disposed on the heater case.
 5. The beveragemaker according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion bosscomprises at least one of: a sensor connection boss to which atemperature sensor configured to sense a fluid supply temperature isconnected; or a valve connection boss to which a safety valve configuredto restrict a maximum internal pressure of the heater is connected. 6.The beverage maker according to claim 1, wherein the heater comprises: ahousing accommodated in the heater case; an inner passage provided inthe housing; an inlet configured to communicate with the inner passage;and an outlet configured to communicate with the inner passage, andwherein the outlet is spaced apart from the inlet and disposed in astraight line with the inlet.
 7. A beverage maker, comprising: a base; afermentation module disposed on the base; a heater configured to heatfluid supplied to the fermentation module; and a heater case disposed onthe base, the heater case being configured to accommodate the heater soas to allow the heater to be spaced upward from the base, wherein arecess in which a fuse bracket configured to fix a fuse is disposed isprovided on the heater.
 8. The beverage maker according to claim 7,wherein the heater comprises an inner passage having a ring shape, whichsurrounds the recess.
 9. The beverage maker according to claim 8,wherein the heater comprises a heating coil disposed within the innerpassage to surround the recess.
 10. A beverage maker, comprising: abase; a fermentation module disposed on the base; a heater configured toheat fluid supplied to the fermentation module; and a heater casedisposed on the base, the heater case being configured to accommodatethe heater so as to allow the heater to be spaced upward from the base,wherein the heater comprises: a first recess to which a fixing bracketconfigured to fix the heater to the heater case is coupled; and a secondrecess in which a fuse bracket configured to fix a fuse is disposed, andwherein the second recess contacts the first recess.
 11. A beveragemaker, comprising: a base; a fermentation module disposed on the base; aheater configured to heat fluid supplied to the fermentation module,wherein the heater includes a housing, at least one recess in thehousing, a ring shaped inner passage formed by the recess, and a heatingcoil wound around the recess; and a heater case disposed on the base,the heater case being configured to accommodate the heater so as toallow the heater to be spaced upward from the base.
 12. The beveragemaker according to claim 11, further comprising: a tank in which thefluid supplied to the fermentation module is stored; and a tank caseconfigured to accommodate the tank, wherein the heater case supports thetank case.
 13. The beverage maker according to claim 11, wherein the atleast one recess comprises: a first recess to which a fixing bracketconfigured to fix the heater to the heater case is coupled; and a secondrecess in which a fuse bracket configured to fix a fuse is disposed, andwherein the second recess contacts the first recess.
 14. The beveragemaker according to claim 11, wherein the heater further comprises: aninlet configured to communicate with the inner passage; and an outletconfigured to communicate with the inner passage, and wherein the outletis spaced apart from the inlet and disposed in a straight line with theinlet.